Reflagging a ship ensures that it meets the safety, environmental, operational and compliance standards required by the U.S. Coast Guard and other U.S. maritime authorities.

Once a vessel meets all requirements and receives all U.S. government approvals, the vessel can come under the U.S. flag, making it eligible to carry cargo for the U.S. military, other government entities and commercial shippers.

The eight new vessels are named in honor of American cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Hartford, Memphis and Pittsburgh. On May 1, Maersk Chicago was the first of the vessels to be reflagged.